Description
These delightful Thumbprint Heart Cookies are buttery, tender shortbread-style cookies filled with your favorite fruit jam, making them perfect for any occasion. With a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a sweet jam center, these cookies are simple to make and ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup butter (about 170 g), softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- ~1/4 cup jam of your choice (raspberry, strawberry, cherry, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 175 °C (350 °F). Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and light brown sugar. Using a hand or stand mixer, cream them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well aerated to ensure tender cookies.
- Add egg and vanilla: Crack the egg into the bowl and add the vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients blend into a smooth, uniform dough base.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape the dough balls: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls approximately one tablespoon in size. Place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create thumbprints: Using your finger or the back of a spoon, gently press down in the center of each dough ball to form an indentation for the jam filling.
- Add the jam filling: Spoon a small amount of your chosen jam into each indentation, being careful not to overfill to avoid spillage during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookie edges are lightly golden and the jam looks softly bubbled.
- Cool the cookies: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps set the cookies and enhances their texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use softened butter at room temperature to ensure smooth creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- Choose a thick jam to prevent excessive spreading or leaking during baking.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with white granulated sugar, but the flavor and texture will slightly differ.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
